Author: Tarcísio Neri

by Tarcísio Neri

Chelsea loan Ian Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea. The 21-year-old left-back played twelve matches this season with the Blues shirt.

At Borussia Dortmund, PSV’s next opponent in the UEFA Champions League, Ian Maatsen will meet Donyell Malen. The two already know each other from the Dutch national team. Ronald Koeman called up Ian Maatsen last year, but the defender has yet to take the field in the Netherlands shirt.

The Yellow Wall wanted to buy Ian Maatsen, but Chelsea didn’t accept it.

“It will be a loan period, there are no other options. It was not possible to obtain a purchase option in the agreement,” said the Borussia Dortmund director.

“Due to personal problems, we had to strengthen in the left-back position this winter. Ian Maatsen fits the bill. He brings a lot of speed, has a strong left leg and can be used in different positions” concluded the German director.
The fifth-placed team in the Bundesliga was looking for a left-back due to Julian Ryerson’s injury and participation in the African Cup.

by Tarcísio Neri

Ajax request return of Kian Fitz-Jim

Ajax have requested the return of Kian Fitz-Jim. Currently in fifth place in the Eredivisie, the Amsterdam team has reached an agreement with SBV Excelsior regarding the early return of Kian Fitz-Jim. The Kralingers first wanted to sign a player to replace the departed Kian Fitz-Jim, before releasing the midfielder to return to the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

At the start of this season, Kian Fitz-Jim was loaned to SBV Excelsior for a season. The Amsterdam club included in the contract the option to request the midfielder’s return at any time.

The reason SBV Excelsior delayed Kian Fitz-Jim’s return was because the Kralingers first wanted to bring in a replacement. This week, the Rotterdam club announced the signing of Kenzo Goudmijn.

by Tarcísio Neri

Andries Jonker explains Vivianne Miedema’s call-up

Vivianne Miedema’s call-up to the Dutch national team was a big surprise. The 27-year-old striker’s name appeared on Monday’s list for the two games against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League. Andries Jonker explained his decision.

Vivianne Miedema tore her anterior cruciate ligament in December during the UEFA Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais. Because of this, she was left out of the Women’s World Cup that took place in Australia and New Zealand. The return to the pitch is close for Vivianne Miedema.

“The chance of her playing against Scotland later this month is very slim. But in consultation with the Arsenal manager and Vivianne Miedema herself, we thought this was the best option. At Arsenal, all the players left for their respective national teams. Then she would train with about three players. In the Dutch team, she will be able to complete a full week of training” said Andries Jonker.

Still, Andries Jonker left the door ajar for Vivianne Miedema’s first appearance in the Dutch national team after thirteen months. If training goes well, returning remains a serious option.

“Maybe she can play a few minutes” said Andries Jonker.
For the UEFA Nations League, the Dutch team will play against Scotland on Friday, October 27, and the second game will be four days later.

by Tarcísio Neri

Vivianne Miedema returns to the Dutch national team

The coach of the Dutch women’s team, Andries Jonker, announced the squad’s call-up for the two games against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League. The big highlight of this call-up is the return of Vivianne Miedema. The 27-year-old Arsenal striker is recovering from a serious knee injury.

Vivianne Miedema tore her anterior cruciate ligament in December during the UEFA Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais. As a result, Vivianne Miedema missed the World Cup that was played in Australia and New Zealand. A comeback is now becoming possible for the Rotterdam-born center forward. However, the timing of the call-up is somewhat surprising because Vivianne Miedema is yet to return to play for Arsenal since her injury.

“I spoke to Vivianne Miedema and Arsenal and analyzed the possibilities. Vivianne Miedema trains with the Arsenal group and can also train with our group. If everything goes well, it is possible that I will use it in the matches against Scotland” said Andries Jonker.

For the UEFA Nations League, the Dutch team will play for the first time at home against Scotland, on Friday, October 27, and the return will be at Hampden Park four days later, in Scotland.

by Tarcísio Neri

Netherlands has poor numbers in penalty kicks

The Dutch team won on Monday night thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s goal after a penalty kick in the final minutes of the match against Greece, but earlier in the match, Wout Weghorst had missed a penalty. The Dutch team’s numbers when it comes to taking penalties have been poor in recent years.

Since the start of the 2018 World Cup, the Dutch team has had seventeen penalties. This excludes penalty shootouts. Memphis Depay took the first 14 penalties and scored ten. Three Memphis Depay shots were saved and one shot hit the post.

Those who also took penalties for the Netherlands were Cody Gakpo, Wout Weghorst and Virgil van Dijk, only Wout Weghorst wasted. This means that the Netherlands converted twelve of the seventeen penalties, an average of 70%. Compared to other top teams, this is a low score. Only Spain has performed worse in the last five years.

It was impressive that Virgil van Dijk took the penalty against Greece because he had missed an important penalty in December. The defender failed in the World Cup against Argentina, in the quarter-finals.

For example, the Netherlands have scored poorly in recent years when it comes to penalties. For comparison purposes, from the beginning of this century until 2017, 27 of the 28 penalties were converted into goals. Only Ruud van Nistelrooij missed a shot in September 2005, in the game against Andorra.